He’s the author of Cult of the Amateur, a book that challenges our thinking about Web 2.0 technologies and their potential for producing unintended social consequences. Is today’s internet actually killing our culture, as Keen asserts? Visionary? Luddite? You be the judge, as you add your thoughts to his in this opening session guaranteed to wake you up.

It’s not one way or the other. The traditional role of publishers in qualifying and curating information remains essential, but the business models for fulfilling that role are changing rapidly. Y.S. Chi sets the stage for this year’s edition of Buying & Selling eContent with his personal observations on how publishers are putting on a new face by adopting, adapting, transforming, and inventing.

Blogging. Podcasting. Social networking. User-generated content and content tags. Yes, of course. But how has Web 2.0 actually affected the buyers and sellers of econtent? Is it really driving anyone’s business? This panel of SIIA Content Division leaders discusses the true outline of today’s playing field. How is the game playing out in various publishing sectors?

• Steven Goldstein, CEO, Alacra, Inc.
• Karen Christensen, CEO, Berkshire Publishing Group
• William O'Conor, EVP and Managing Director, Financial Services, Generate
• Kathy Greenler-Sexton, Chief Marketing Officer, Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

Big corporate buyers still represent the bread and butter of a big chunk of the econtent industry’s economy, and nowhere have we seen more change in the information landscape than within their enterprises. Internal sources. External sources. Within the enterprise, it’s all melding together in the same pot. Talk about taking on new identities! This panel from SLA’s recently formed Content Buyers Section—representing more than 100 SLA members—shares insights about what enterprise buyers want and need to do with econtent after the deal is done.

• Carol Ginsburg, Senior Consultant, BST America
• Anne Lonergan, Manager, Strategy, Research & Innovation, Deloitte
• Barbara Hirsh, Director, Information Resources, NERA Economic Consulting

When it comes to digital distribution, there’s much to talk about. Consumers are anticipating when they can fully benefit from the consumption of digital content of all types—informational, media, games. For content owners, this market transition hasn’t been easy. There are still a number of issues that remain open, such as how to monetize your content and what type of DRM to implement. In this discussion, Bullwinkle will talk about the technology challenges that stand in the way of getting content to consumers and how we, as an industry, need to move forward to achieve profitability in this age of econtent.

Social media is now an accepted platform for consumer plays, but social media is starting to develop audiences in enterprises. In this environment, the pressure is on publishers to rethink how they build quality content. Business contacts, company data, recruiting, and research are all becoming areas for premium content targeting, both inside and outside the firewall. And user-generated information is increasingly a key quality component of successful solutions. Consultant and commentator John Blossom leads a panel of those who have capitalized on the social media movement.

• Jim Fowler, CEO, Jigsaw
• Pamela Springer, CEO & President, ECNext
• Joel Bush, Director, Sales, NearTime

Take your choice of several informal and informative networking activities or opt to conduct private business meetings with your BSEC colleagues. Opt-in to any of these Monday Afternoon Networking Events:

Share Your Thoughts on Social Networks
Join David Gurteen and fellow conference delegates in one of Gurteen’s signature Knowledge Café conversation groups to consider the burning question that’s on everyone’s minds these days—or at least will be on your mind by the time you’ve heard BSEC’s opening keynotes and panel discussions this year. The topic on this café table is: “What will be the actual impact of social tools on the enterprise?” Hear what your colleagues think and together talk it through.

Discuss Emerging Financial Models
In recent months we’ve seen some radical changes in digital content financial models, with NYTimes.com going from fee to free, Elsevier announcing ad-supported portals for scientists, and Facebook and MySpace announcing new ad-based monetization strategies. Join ITI editors Michelle Manafy and Marydee Ojala in quickly reviewing the latest news on the fee versus free situation and then exchange ideas with your colleagues about what the new models mean for your own content space. Will subscriptions continue to fade?

Come Face to Face with Social Networkers
One of the most-talked-about Web 2.0 services is one you might possibly have not had the opportunity to try out yet. Whether or not you take advantage of the “Buying & Selling eContent” community we’ve formed on Facebook, join us for this face-to-face meeting of those who ventured
into the space. What’s to be gained by having a Facebook page? Exchange thoughts with those who tried it. Hosted by community-builder Jane Dysart, Chair of ITI’s KMWorld conference.

Launch a Sidebar Discussion Group
Have a burning topic you want to hear addressed at Buying & Selling EContent? Nominate a topic in advance and we’ll set you up with a round table. (Visit the BSEC08 wiki to propose your own discussion group.)

A stunning sunset viewed from Mummy Mountain is the setting for this casual evening networking event. Wear your boots and jeans — and don't forget your cowboy hat — and relax with friends and continue discussions inspired by the day's sessions. Enjoy margaritas, Coronas, and a delicious Southwestern dinner under the stars — and among the best and the brightest in the content industry.